The Golden State Valkyries are off to a 2-1 start but face the toughest test yet of their inaugural season tonight when they play the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty.
New York (3-0) is first in the Eastern Conference and boasts the second-best record in the league after wins over the Las Vegas Aces, Chicago Sky, and Indiana Fever.
Not only will the game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn be the first true test this season for the Valkyries, but it will also mark the Bay Area native Sabrina Ionescu’s first game against Golden State.
Ionescu had a decorated career at Miramonte High and was named the Bay Area News Group girls high school player of the decade in 2020.
After helping lead New York to a WNBA title last year, Ionescu is off to a strong start to the season, averaging 15.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds through three games.
The Liberty’s offense has been lethal to start the season, leading the league in almost every offensive category. New York ranks first in points per game (93.7), field goal percentage (49.7), net rating (16.0), and offensive rating (112.4).
Along with Ionescu, New York has a plethora of scoring options: Natasha Cloud (18.7 points per game), Jonquel Jones (18.0), Breanna Stewart (17.7), and Kennedy Burke (11.3).
The Valkyries have won two straight since dropping their home opener 84-67 to the Los Angeles Sparks just over a week ago.
Golden State notched its first win in franchise history when it edged out the young, up-and-coming Washington Mystics 76-74 at home. The Valkyries followed that up with an impressive 82-73 road victory over the Sparks two days later – a game in which Golden State led by as much as 20 in the second half.
The Valkyries have gotten a boost from rookie French forward Janelle Salaün. Salaün missed training camp and both of the Valkyries’ preseason games to fulfill international commitments, but has lit up the stat sheet since she made her debut against Washington.
Salaün is averaging a team-best 14 points per game. Against the Sparks on Friday, Salaün scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Golden State to a win.
“I’ve been here for like a week, … but you know it’s all about confidence at the end of the day,” Salaün said after Friday’s win.
Golden State will also look for fellow French rookie Carla Leite, who had a breakout game against the Sparks, to continue to be a scoring option off the bench. Leite scored a game-high 19 points on 7 of 10 shooting.
Leite has looked more comfortable since the Valkyries’ season opener – a game in which the 21-year-old point guard totaled just two points and had three turnovers.
The Valkyries were shorthanded going into Friday’s game against the Sparks, and that may be the case once again.
Starting point guard Tiffany Hayes missed Golden State’s last game with a nose injury. Against Washington last week, Hayes had to leave the game in the second quarter when a collision with Shakira Austin caused a bloody nose. She is officially labeled as questionable to play against the Liberty.
Center Monique Billings is also questionable after missing the Valkyries’ last game with an ankle injury. Backup center Kyara Linskens and forward Stephanie Talbot filled at the center spot when starter Temi Fágbénlé needed a breather.
Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton is returning to New York after helping the Liberty win the 2024 WNBA title. She was a key piece off the bench during last year’s playoff run and was picked up by Golden State in December’s expansion draft.
The Valkyries will enter New York as heavy underdogs. As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sports Network has Golden State as 15.5-point underdogs.
Golden State will have two chances to beat the defending champions. Following Tuesday’s game, the Valkyries will play New York again on Thursday before returning home on Sunday to host the Minnesota Lynx.
